2050

2050 was just as beautiful as the new year rang from the bells of the Capital Hall.   All rejoiced as another perfect year can occur.  Life was great; another year would bring more success than ever expected.  The lights worldwide hailed in such a place that finally fixed man's fatal flaws.  The nations were at peace, and war was a distant story.  The bright lights in the Capitals were illuminated with fireworks that rang in the sky.   With no crime, all could celebrate with perfect peace.   The world was on a good trajectory as the good revolution ended all destructive behaviors.  This year would mark another successful year of The Great Counsel's rule to keep humanity from killing itself.  It started regulating crime and expanding its power as man became more evil. The wars became too great, and there was a loss over trivial matters, so the council set up with the United Nations to keep the peace worldwide. All those who fought it were missing, as the rest were too scared to rebel. Only a place that had solved so many problems would be the best way for all to live.  The announcements were made across the world, and everyone watched them regardless. The same message and most even believed it, was gathered, and the ones that dissented openly were gathered. They were never seen again, yet it was not enough for more in due time to rise up. At least that was taught to the children.

All Peridan could do was just ignore the whole thing as all the others watched in wonder.  It had been this way since he was born and only knew such a place.  His house was one of a worker's, but all the amenities were included. The night of celebration was a break from the promised better society since they were put under this government. His social media only put the positive thing on it as the pictures of the fireworks were on everyone's mind.  He still could look at his scar from the correction surgery before he was born. Nothing but perfection was wanted, and stopping issues early was their specialty. Healthcare costs had been lower. Still, Peridan would always ask what was fixed with no answer. His parents were true believers and said he was made perfect again. Only which disease he had lingered in his mind as more medical attention might be needed in the future. The lack of disease was the goal but only a reminder to his mind of not being previously perfect.

The mandatory viewing only isolated him further, but his parents were content to contribute to the peace by working at their state-assigned jobs in the factory. Yet it was the same as last year and as long as he could remember. It was another year of keeping his discontent to himself. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a group on the fringes seeking to restore freedom. Peridan continued to conform and retreated to his bedroom, away from his irritating younger sister. If only there was a chance to break free from this relentless pursuit of perfection.  But he had to comply or risk being reprimanded if he disagreed. His only escape from this life was to snuggle in his sheets and drift off to sleep.

The school was another story. Everyone pushes all students to have the best grades.  Peridan had been through all the tutoring and extra help ever needed.  He could do the work but does not want to put in the effort, but all must have excellent grades.  All we must learn was brought to everyone's attention.  No more just passing or getting away with anything, either.  It was torture to try to learn subjects of no real relevance. Politics was to understand and even be open to new discoveries.  Yet it seems that it was never good enough for him.  He was always in the help group and pulled the grades up just to stop the harassment of all those around him.  Even just ignoring the work became too much.  The system wanted all to succeed and to be done. The stories of those who could leave school danced in his head, but no real ambition could be found.

 Despite not allowing his day to get worse, the lunches were.  The anti-processed foods groups had eliminated all the excess chemicals and other harmful ingredients.  Yet it made everyone healthier and more energetic.  Common health problems had disappeared with a diet approach instead of excess medications.  Those had so many side effects that the natural way made it easier to be off addictive foods and medications.   The burden on the health system decreased, and everyone was generally in a healthy weight range.  This made Peridan want to be different with maybe some processed sugars and processed foods.  Yet all his options were to keep him at peak shape and avoid more issues later.   The medications were seen as a money-making process, and they forgot about the need to just be safe.  The majority could just be replaced with better diets and living conditions.  This was constantly weighing on the fact that his problem was fixed in his mother's womb.   Natural immunities also brought back better security against old common diseases such as colds and flu.  The last vaccines were discovered to be dangerous and still allowed to be given despite the public outcry.   Most companies went under and were replaced with more potent ways to stop illness, including shutting down labs experimenting with producing disease for their gain in power.   The new ones were simpler, better protected, and well-studied before release.  The disease was not occurring as it had brought the world to a safer time after germ warfare had been introduced. 

The rest of the school day was mundane, with uniforms to provide genuine equality to all students. The basic pants and shirts were of the colors of the school. Peridan hated his maroon shirt but grew up in that part of town and only wanted to be out of awful school.  The weather was great, and time on his own was the goal.  He would love to drop out, but society was not set up that way.  He sat through the last classes, tired from the night before.  As the last bell rang, all went to the great unknown of the outside world. 

Peridan met up with his friend Salisan. He also would have loved to fail school if they had not been so persistent on success. Both, like many others, were just following the rule. Yet, failure was not an option. An existence beyond this place was never seen. Still, the trend towards freedom was becoming stronger with every new generation. The streets were safe, as anyone could walk anywhere.  Bullying was never allowed in any form, and yet the boys still felt left out.  The world was too perfect, with almost no crime.  Those caught were sent to special schools for behavior.  Some never returned, but the last thing anyone wanted was to be sent to those places. Even the most minor crimes had the strictest consequences.  Jails were determined only to make more criminals and make destructive behaviors worse.  The streets could now be trusted to be on the side of the citizens, and there would be less need for a large police force.  All knew the rules of the mandatory meetings, and most just did as the government dictated. The defiance to walk and break from the many responsibilities burdened him. Only to get through the schooling and maybe even find a new place. The anger was becoming almost too unbearable.

Yet, as he walked through the quiet street. The boys could see the pristine buildings and all living in good families.   The roads were gleaming with the bright lights as they had to head home, and both went off before the curfew. The walks could only briefly take away the ultra-perfections of humanity at this time. It was one of the most extraordinary times, yet an army was hardly needed.  It was a quiet city that served its citizens pridefully to end suffering.  All the boys knew that they could never starve or eat horrible food. They regretted the day that their jobs would come and into the adult world. For now, it was a dream with lessoned responsibility.

 Peridan's loving family greeted him as he headed off to bed.  The world might be without all its previous issues.  This made time for homework and getting off to bed for the school night. All he could think was how his life could turn out and make something of himself.  He wanted options, including a low-key job with good benefits.  The world could never change as he investigated the air, losing focus on his homework.  He still had to do it to keep his teachers happy.   He wondered if the world would ever return to the old dysfunction and all the fights in the nation. It was another thought, but he lives in a rather tricky world to imagine.  As he went to sleep, the world became darker each minute.